061523 - Las Vegas Edition

A SURVEY of 7,000 Asian adults found a majority of Asian Americans think affirmative action is a good thing. Yet an overwhelming majority disagree that race should be a factor in deciding admission into a university.

The poll released Thursday by the Pew Research Center says 53% of Asian Americans describe affirmative action as a “good thing.” 19% consider it a “bad thing” and 27% “don’t know.”

Support among the various Asian subgroups ranges from a high of 60% among Indian Americans and 57% Filipino Americans to a low of 45% among Chinese Americans and 48% Vietnamese Americans.

“We need a seat at the table… I mean, even as far as I know, Asian Americans, Filipino Americans have the lowest voter count, and so without having a seat at the table, like how are we going to be heard? So yeah, I mean, I’m down with affirmative action,” said a Filipino man in his 40’s to the researchers.

“Well, I always feel a little mixed about it. I

How the mixed messaging of vaccine skeptics sows seeds of doubt

IT was a late-spring House of Representatives hearing, where members of Congress and attendees hoped to learn lessons from the pandemic. Witness Marty Makary made a plea.

“I want to thank you for your attempts at civility,” Makary, a Johns Hopkins Medicine researcher and surgeon, said softly. Then his tone changed. His voice started to rise, blasting the “intellectual dishonesty” and “very bizarre” decisions of public health officials. Much later, he criticized the “cult” of his critics, some of whom “clap like seals” when certain studies are published. Some critics are “public health oligarchs,” he said.

Makary was a marquee witness for this meeting of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic. His testimony had the rhythm of a two-step — alternating between an extended hand and a harsh rhetorical slap. It’s a characteristic move of this panel, a Republican-led effort to review the response to the pandemic. Both sides of the aisle join in the dance, as members

Marcos: PH won’t bow down to ‘external force’

by JEROME ANING Inquirer.net

MANILA — On the occasion of the country’s quasquicentennial on Monday, June 12, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. paid tribute to the patriots who fought for Philippine independence and called on Filipinos to “assert liberty day by day” in contending with challenges now facing the nation.

“The heroes of our liberation would be proud to know that we have thrown off the ‘ominous yoke of domination’ — never again to be subservient to any external force that directs or determines our

destiny,” the president said in his speech at Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Manila.

Marcos urged the people to reflect on how far the country had come “from that transformative event” in history when revolutionary forces led by Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed independence from Spain in 1898.

“I appeal for unity and solidarity in our efforts to perfect our hard-fought freedom and achieve genuine national progress. Heeding this call will indispensably require patriotism and a strong sense of community, diligence, industry and responsibility from all our citizens,” Marcos said.

Bato: Make US pay rent for EDCA sites

by CECILLE SUERTE FELIPE Philstar.com

MANILA — Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has reiterated his concern on the possible mass exodus of the military and uniformed personnel amid plans to reform the MUP pension system, suggesting the United States could pay rent for using Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites to help fund the pension, which economic managers earlier warned could cause the country’s financial collapse.

“Why not ask the United States to pay for rent for sites used for the Enhanced

Defense Coordinating Agreement to fund the ballooning pension funds for the military and uniformed personnel?” Dela Rosa said.

The senator was asked whether the U.S. can be asked to just pay for using Philippine facilities under the EDCA as a possible source for MUP pensions, and he answered in the affirmative.

In an interview with dzBB radio, he noted that the provision in the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) could be amended so that the U.S. could pay for the use of the facilities as rent.

“Let’s amend the provisions of the VFA;

De Lima les motion for reconsideration on junked bail petition

MANILA — Former Sen. Leila De Lima has filed a motion for reconsideration before a Muntinlupa court on its decision to deny her bail on the last of her drug cases.

In a filing before Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 256, De Lima said through counsel that the court had “committed grave but reversible errors” in its June 7 decision to reject her petition for bail.

The court had denied De Lima bail, saying the prosecution

had presented strong evidence against her.

De Lima said the court had only considered the testimonies of prosecution witnesses and not the cross-examinations and arguments raised by her defense team.

“It must be emphasized that at this point of the trial, almost a dozen witnesses were already presented by the Prosecution and cross-examined by all the accused,” her lawyers said.

He also issued a message saying in part: “Let us assert our liberty day by day. In everything we do, let us pursue excellence and integrity with the knowledge that we are living out the visions our predecessors held on to and the comfort they toiled for.”

‘Unfreedoms’

The president further noted in his speech that there are “corrosive, political and social conditions that make the nation not as free as we would like to profess and to believe — such as poverty, inadequate economic opportunities, disabling rather

LAS VEGAS — Prominent leaders of the local

Filipino American community are calling for justice and proactive safety measures for an elderly man who was attacked last month amid the continued rise in Asian hate crimes.

The elderly Filipino American man, 75-year-old Amadeo Quindara, was attacked last May 30 at his Las Vegas home and continues to live in fear for his life and safety as his attacker was recently released from jail and reportedly remains a threat to him. The perpetrator, 44-year-old Christian Lentz, was charged with residential burglary.

On the day of the attack, Quinadara was talking to another neighbor in Tagalog when Lentz, who lives just two doors down, reportedly confronted them and told them to speak in English.

Lentz left, but home security footage captured him

Sara, Tulfo, Leni top choices for president

by KRISTINA MARALIT ManilaTimes.net

VICE PRESIDENT Sara Duterte, Sen. Rafael “Raffy” Tulfo and former vice president Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo emerged as the top three choices as possible bets in the 2028 presidential election, according to a recent survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS).

The poll, commissioned by Arnel Ty and conducted last April 15 to 18, described the three personalities as the “best leader to succeed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in 2028.”

Duterte had a 28 percent rating, Tulfo (11 percent) and

Robredo (6 percent).

Rounding up the top five are former president Rodrigo Duterte (3 percent) and boxing icon Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao (2 percent).

Senators Robinhood “Robin” Padilla and Maria Imelda Josefa “Imee” Marcos, former Manila mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, all garnered 1 percent.

Even President Marcos and his son Ilocos Norte First District Rep. Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos made the list but are constitutionally not qualified to run.

A sitting president cannot seek a second term, while the

Most Asians support a rmative action, but not in college

Vice President Sara Duterte, Sen. Raffy Tulfo, former vice president Leni Robredo File photos

Atty. Leila M. de Lima attends the resumption of hearing in one of the two remaining drugs charges filed against her on March 20, 2023 at the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 256.

Marcos: PH won’t bow down to...

than enabling living conditions, inequality, and apathy.”

The government will “strive to remove [these] unfreedoms” and come out with “wise policies… for the full development of the Filipino,” he said. Marcos also reaffirmed his administration’s Philippine Development Plan for 2023-2028, on which he signed Executive Order No. 14 in January.

In a statement at that time, the National Economic and Development Authority said the plan aimed to “bring back the country to a high-growth trajectory and, more importantly, enable economic and social transformation for a prosperous, inclusive and resilient society.”

“I have said it before, I shall say it once more: I will be with you on that long and uphill road to achieve our dream of freedom — freedom from hunger, freedom from neglect, freedom from fear,” the president said.

Ceremonies Marcos was at the Luneta before his speech as he led the raising of the national colors at the Independence Flagpole across the Rizal Monument.

He was joined by first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and their sons Sandro, Simon and Vincent, and

Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna. He then placed a wreath at the monument of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, accompanied by Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Andres Centino and National Historical Commission of the Philippines chair Emmanuel Franco Calairo. A downpour delayed the ceremonies which were supposed to start at 8 a.m., the time set for flag-raising rites nationwide.

The first family then proceeded to Quirino Grandstand where they watched the civic-military parade called “Parada ng Kalayaan” (Freedom Parade) — which presented, among others, personnel and vehicles of the military and other uniformed services.

Monday’s activities were guided by the theme “Kalayaan. Kinabukasan. Kasaysayan.”

(Freedom. Future. History.)

Meanwhile, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte called for national solidarity in supporting “the heroes of today who continue to fight for our freedom from terrorism, criminality, corruption, and local communism.”

She also urged the public to rally behind the education sector “to enable our children and youth

to break free from the dangers of armed struggle so they can realize their full potential.”

Tanggol Kasaysayan, a group of history and social studies teachers, criticized Duterte’s agency, the Department of Education, for still omitting the subject of Philippine history in its proposed high school curriculum.

“[This occasion] is a reminder to the country’s teachers and students to continue the struggle against the culture of forgetting,” the group said.

House Speaker Martin Romualdez led the Independence Day ceremony at the Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan City, where he urged Filipinos to “awaken the spirit of heroism that is within us.”

Amid Monday’s rain, Bayan, Pamalakaya, and other activist groups held protest rallies outside the consulates of China and the United States.

“There is no cause for celebration today as our territorial waters remain subjected to relentless militarization by China, while the continuing presence of the U.S. military further erodes our national independence,” Pamalakaya spokesperson Ronnel Arambulo said. g

Community leaders call for justice, safety...

returning approximately a half hour later.

According to the report, Lentz allegedly punched and slammed Quindara to the ground before fleeing the scene. The video captured Lentz reportedly yelling racial slurs at Quindara, telling the Filipino man that he would “be on a ventilator” and “die.”

"He walked away and started talking. ‘You should speak English. You should speak English. You Japanese,’” Quindara said, according to an interview with KTNV.

Quindara sustained bruises to his face, a black eye and deep cuts on his head.

“Physically, you could recover from that but if you keep thinking about what happened, that is the thing that hurt me most,” Quindara added.

The attack comes at a time when there is an alarming surge in hate crimes against Asian Americans nationally, and as Nevada’s Filipino American population is growing rapidly.

There was a disturbing 167% increase in anti-Asian hate crimes during the first year of the pandemic alone, according to the FBI.

Fil-Am leaders in Las Vegas are now calling on authorities

and other government officials to bring justice to Quindara’s case as well as to prevent other incidents against the community.

“When Filipino Americans heard about this brutal attack, we took it very personally, because the first thought we had was ‘That could have been my dad’,” said Jacque de Joya, President of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) – Nevada. “In the Filipino American community, we’re very family-oriented, and we revere our elders. So we felt like our own father had been attacked – it hit us right in our hearts.”

De Joya continued to call for justice for Quindara as he is “in imminent danger of being attacked again.”

"We also need officials to prioritize the safety of all Nevadans against hate crimes. All of us must come together across racial lines to increase understanding, education and compassion, and take real steps to end these terrible acts of violence. We are calling for action from our justice system and local government officials, as justice delayed is justice denied. NaFFAA Nevada is in solidarity with the rest of the Filipino American organizations

and other organizations in our state,” she said.

Gloria Caoile, co-founder of NaFFAA, said that, Filipino Americans "are essential to the life of our city and state, but right now the Filipino American community is being treated as if we don’t count and don’t matter. I was a union leader for decades, and in the labor movement we have a saying, ‘An injury to one is an injury to all.’ This issue is about making sure that every Nevadan has safety and respect, starting with Mr. Quindara.”

Grace Vergara-Mactal, executive director of Nevada’s largest health care and public service union, SEIU Local 1107,” said, “What politicians need to realize is that their rhetoric has real-world consequences and causes real pain — both physical and emotional.

"We will not accept being targeted or victimized, and as an anti-racist organization, we will not stand on the sidelines. Along with our community partners, we will redouble our fight for justice and safety for all,” VergaraMactal added.

According to reports, Quindara is in the process of filing a restraining order against Lentz, who is scheduled to be back in court on July 3. g

CRAWL. Traffic is at a standstill along the northbound lane of Edsa from Guadalupe, Makati City a little past noon on Thursday, June 15. Rather than being stuck on the country’s busiest thoroughfare, commuters take the Metro Rail Transit-3 while motorists utilize side streets. PNA photo by Avito Dalan

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. leads the wreath-laying ceremony at the Rizal Monument during the 125th Philippine Independence Day celebration in Rizal Park, Manila on Monday, June 12. Marcos said in his speech that he is honored to stand as the country’s representative to commemorate the heroism of Filipino heroes who fought for freedom. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

Six Fil-Ams named ‘Grand Agers’ for decades of public service

by Cherie Querol Moreno Inquirer.net

SIX Filipino Americans who embrace age with grace and active engagement will be honored as “Grand Agers” at an event to promote elder care and prevent elder abuse in South San Francisco.

For their decades-long community service in diverse fields, Californians Aurea Ocampo Cruz, Conrad Gamboa, Cynthia Arnaldo Bonta, Perla Gange Ibarrientos, Peter and Estrelle Chan will receive the commendation June 17 at the 14th annual “Our Family, Our Future” education program and resource fair organized by ALLICE Alliance for Community Empowerment.

“We celebrate longevity and the meaningful ways our six pioneers continue working for the greater good even after they conclude their professional careers,” announced Bettina Santos Yap, founding president of the allvolunteer nonprofit founded in 2003.

“We are all living longer, but unfortunately ageism is escalating,” she added. “Recognizing our Grand Agers is our way of rejecting age discrimination because, as our honorees prove, we get better with age.”

Better with age Retirement seems to have no place in the vocabulary of the six longtime volunteers who model

the Filipino value of “bayanihan” or communal cooperation.

After completing 12 years advising the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors on issues facing older adults as a member of the County Commission on Aging, Aurea Ocampo Cruz, 91, continues to lead the Legion of Mary at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Colma, California. She oversees planning meetings, parishioner visits particularly to the sick, and responding to the spiritual needs of the congregation.

The Cavite native effectively provides service 24/7, being in charge of the wellness and health program of her housing complex. She’s the epitome of “charity begins at home” for she religiously visits her husband Ross Ocampo, 93, as he recovers at a rehab center for an accident that ended his own longtime volunteer work as a peer counselor.

Conrad Gamboa, 81, found his vocation at St. Augustine Catholic Church in South San Francisco, his parish since 1986. He had attained his doctor of dentistry degree from the University of the East in Manila when he brought his wife Linda and their daughter to this country in 1972. After briefly practicing his profession, he joined California Pacific Medical Center, where he worked for nearly three decades.

Through the years, the Gamboas have become pillars of the parish Small Christian Community and FilAm Society. He serves as an extraordinary minister of Holy

Communion and a commissioned member of the parish hospitality ministry. Recently La Unionborn Conrad was lauded for his ongoing 35 years as a Knight of Columbus, including a year as Grand Knight.

Activist, organizer and mobilizer Cynthia Arnaldo Bonta, 85, keeps on going since the 1960s, marching alongside icons of Filipino American empowerment in the California heartland. She founded the Philippine National Day Association kindling Filipinos’ quest for higher education with scholarships.

Ever mindful of her beginnings, she laid the proverbial foundation for the City Sistership between her adopted home city Alameda and Dumaguete City, where she was born, raised and began her ministry.

Two years ago she organized Filipino American Progressives to consolidate state then national efforts to support progressive Filipino and Asian American electoral candidates. Recently she collaborated with Latinx leaders to build the Larry Itliong Resource Center as a member of the Board of Directors of the Central Valley Empowerment Alliance, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the legacy of Larry Itliong Jr., who believed that working in solidarity with Cesar Chavez, Mexican and Yemeni farmworkers was the only way the strike for collective bargaining and an agricultural

Sara, Tulfo, Leni top choices for...

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younger Marcos has yet to reach the minimum required age of 40 to run for the presidency.

There are talks that Vice President Duterte aims to become a second-generation leader like Marcos.

The former mayor of Davao City has carved her own path and is one of the most formidable

names in politics.

She, however, has remained tight-lipped about her political plans.

Sara Duterte was expected to run for president last year but in a move that surprised her supporters, chose to become Marcos’ running mate instead.

If she decides to run for president in 2028, many political

observers predict that one of her biggest rivals would be House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Marcos’ cousin.

Tulfo has not publicly revealed if he has any presidential ambitions.

Robredo has stayed out of the political limelight following her defeat in the presidential race last year. g

De Lima files motion for reconsideration...

“For this reason, the evidence of the Prosecution in relation to the crossexamination conducted by the accused can no longer be categorized as merely prima facie, the term itself being literally translated as ‘on its face’, i.e., devoid of any other evidence other than what would be uncontested assertions that remain unrebutted,” De Lima’s motion also read as it cited the court’s use of “prima facie” in its decision to deny bail. De Lima said the court had relied only on testimony from prosecution witnesses “is unprecedented, unfounded, and almost brazen.”

“At this point of the trial, the Honorable Court is no longer a passive observer, but

it already assumes the role of a discerning arbiter of the law and dispenser of justice. As such, in its exercise of judicial discretion in the granting or denial of bail, it should be guided in its appreciation of evidence as it would in arriving at its final judgment,” De Lima also said.

Bail denial

In this specific case, de Lima faces the same conspiracy to commit drug trading charge along with six others.

The court resolved the bail petition filed by de Lima and co-accused Joenel Sanchez, Franklin Bucayu, Ronnie Dayan and Jad Dera.

De Lima had argued before the court that the “prosecution failed to show proof evident of the conspiracy to commit illegal

drug trading between her and her co-accused.”

In weighing the petitions for bail, the court noted that the accused are facing a nonbailable case which leaves to the prosecution the burden to prove strong presumption of their guilt. Since the prosecution’s evidence is mostly testimonies, the weight will depend on the credibility and the witness’ competence, bias and manner of testifying, the court said.

“Considering the foregoing and after a careful review of the totality of prosecution’s evidence, the Court is convinced that the evidence of guilt against all the above-named accused for the crime of conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading is strong,” the June 7 ruling read. (Philstar.com)

LIVELIHOOD AID. To improve the livelihood of the members of the Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs), the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) turned over four abaca stripping machines to four tribal groups on Thursday, June 15 in Barangay Marilog Proper, Davao City. The recipients are the Ata-Manobo tribe of Talaingod town, Davao del Norte province; B’laan tribe of Kiblawan town, Davao del Sur; Ubo-Manuvu tribe of Barangay Marilog, Davao City; and Ata tribe of Barangay Malabog, Paquibato District, Davao City. PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.

GRAND AGERS. (Top photo, from left) Peter Chan, Estrelle Chan and Perla Barrientos. (Bottom photo, from left) Cynthia Bonta, Area Cruz and Conrad Gamboa. Contributed photos

Bato: Make US pay rent for EDCA...

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we can tell (the U.S.) to pay the rent for the use our facilities,” he said.

“When Americans come here, they don’t ask for a visa, but Filipinos suffer when they apply for visas. Where is the principle of reciprocity in the international relation? There is no reciprocity at all,” he added.

A former chief of the Philippine National Police, Dela Rosa reiterated his concerns if plans to reform their pension system push through, which could result in a weak national defense and a weak law enforcement community.

While Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno had already raised his concern about the possible fiscal collapse if no pension reform would be made, but implementing such a policy without wide and intensive consultation could also have the same results, according to the senator.

“If Sec. Diokno was saying that there (would) be a fiscal collapse (if there will be no reform in the MUP pension system) if we insist on this, there will be more of a fiscal collapse,” Dela Rosa warned.

“Will the government have a plan if the law says that Malacañang will implement and sign it, but before it is signed, those who will be affected will file for retirement? The government will have to pay trillion pesos when all those to be affected will retire,” he added. “Maybe, what I can see is

that there should be extensive consultation to tackle how big or small is the contribution. The consultation will also reduce their doubts, that the deduction will just be a small amount and needs a little patience so as not to have a fiscal collapse,” he said.

Dela Rosa added that the previous Congress pushed for the MUP pension system for new entrants into the service. He noted, however, that economic managers have said the effect of such scheme would not really address the fiscal concern as it would be felt after 30 years. “We are concerned with the possible mass exodus (of uniformed personnel). They would rather leave the service before the new pension system (could take effect) because they don’t want to be affected,” he said. The senator admitted that

Most Asians support affirmative action...

think there are people that cannot advocate for themselves that it probably has helped, but I think it also has hindered those individuals that have either accomplished a lot on their own because people make an assumption that they got helped or that you’re part of a quota,” said a Japanese women in her 60’s.

Support for affirmative action among U.S.-born Asian Americans is slightly higher than that of immigrants, 56% to 52%.

Pew conducted the survey in six languages between July 5, 2022 and January 27, 2023 with a margin of error of 2.1%.

Asian Americans surveyed do not think race should be a factor when deciding student enrollment.

Only 21 percent think race should be a consideration in college admissions.

Most think high school grades, standardized tests and community service should be bigger factors.

Sally Chen of Chinese for Affirmative Action in San Francisco was a student at Harvard when the case was going through the federal courts. She testifed in favor of Harvard’s admission policy.

have the grades, they have the test scores. They are being turned away for other races,” he told Fox News.

Each chapter of CACA may have differing views on the issues. An effort to reach the national office was unsuccessful and a past president of CACA told AsAmNews he is not aware if the national office has a stance on affirmative action. Efforts to reach national president Melanie Chan were unsuccessful.

if reforms would really push through, the MUP would not be able to do anything to oppose it as they would just leave the service.

“The big concern is the national security. The seasoned and well-trained won’t just disappear because they will leave the service, and they will be replaced by others who are not experts on the matter,” he added.

For Dela Rosa, the question is if anyone would be encouraged to join the forces, knowing that many uniformed personnel had already left.

“What will happen to our defense, what will happen to our peace and order?” he said.

He added that there was a proposal to just deduct six percent from the salary, but if the personnel is receiving only P5,000 because of loans and other deductions, the amount is significant. g

The release of the poll conducted both online and by mail coincides with a decision expected from the U.S. Supreme Court early this summer in the cases of Students for Fair Admissions vs Harvard and Students for Fair Admission vs the University of North Carolina.

Conservative Ed Blum argues that affirmative action in college admission discriminates against Whites and Asian Americans.

An overwhelming majority of

“I think there’s confusion that students can get in solely on the basis of race,” she told AsAmNews during a phone interview. She described college admissions as a “confusing and anxiety-inducing process. There s confusion about what these institutions are doing wth this information.”

Phil Wong of the New York Chapter of the Chinese American Citizens Alliance agrees.

“We’ve seen the data,” said Phil Wong, the president of the Chinese American Citizens Alliance. “Asian Americans are being turned away when they

Interestingly, Black respondents to the poll also overwhelmingly rejected race as a consideration for college admissions. 71 percent of blacks polled said it should not be considered.

None of this surprises Chen of CAA.

“When you lead with the values and what the programs are for, you see support and that’s consistent when we want to help all communities to be able to succeed,” she said.

Neil Ruiz of Pew acted as lead researcher with assistance from Hannah Klein, Ziyao Tian and Mark Hugo Lopez. (Randall Yip/ Ethnic Media Services)

How the mixed messaging of vaccine skeptics...

claim to seek cooperation and productive discussions before attacking their preferred coronavirus villains.

One target of the subcommittee’s Republican members has drawn concern from public health experts: COVID-19 vaccines. Because the attacks range from subtle to

overt, there’s a fear all vaccines could end up as collateral damage.

During that May 11 hearing, Republican members repeatedly raised questions about coronavirus vaccines. Rightwing star Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) emphasized the vaccines were “experimental” and fellow Georgia Republican Rep. Rich McCormick, an emergency room physician, argued the government was “pushing” FDA-approved boosters “with no evidence and possible real harm.”

Some Republican members, who have been investigating for months various pandemicrelated matters, are keen to say they’re supportive of vaccines — just not many of the policies surrounding covid vaccines. Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio), who chairs the subcommittee, has said he supports vaccines and claimed he’s worried about declining vaccination rates.

During the May hearing, he also two-stepped, arguing the covid shots were “safe as we know it, to a certain point.” He questioned the government’s safety apparatus, including VAERS, the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, a database that receives reports potentially connected to vaccines. He said the committee would be “looking” at it “to make sure it’s honest and to be trusted.”

It’s this two-step — at once proclaiming oneself in favor of vaccines, while validating concerns of vaccine-skeptical audiences — that has sparked worries of deeper vaccine hesitancy taking root.

“It seems to me to be implying the government knows the vaccine to be unsafe” and that it’s “covering it up,” said Matt Motta, a political scientist at Boston University specializing in public health and vaccine politics. The implication validates some long-held fringe theories about vaccinations, without completely embracing “conspiracism,” he said.

Vaccine skeptics run the gamut from individuals with scientific credentials who nevertheless oppose public health policies from a libertarian perspective to individuals endorsing theories about widespread adverse events, or arguing against the need for multiple shots. VAERS is a favorite topic among the latter group. When one witness testifying during the May 11 hearing attempted to defend covid vaccination policies, Taylor Greene cited the number of reports to VAERS as evidence of the vaccines’ lack of safety.

That muddles the purpose of the database, Motta said, which gathers unverified and verified reports alike. It’s a signal, not a diagnosis. “It’s more like a smoke alarm,” he said. “It goes off when there’s a fire. But it also goes off when you’ve left an omelet on the stove too long.”

In a March hearing focusing on school reopening policies, Democratic members of the panel and a witness from a school nurses association frequently touted the important role covid vaccines played in enabling schools to reopen. Wenstrup offered generalized skepticism. “I heard we were able to get more vaccines for the children,” he said. “We didn’t know fully if they needed it. A lot of data would show they don’t need to vaccinate.”

Witnesses can eagerly play into vaccine-skeptical narratives.

After a question from Taylor Greene premised on the idea that the covid vaccines “are not vaccines at all,” and alleging the government is spreading misinformation about their effectiveness, Makary suggested

that while he was not antivaccine, it was understandable others were. “I understand why they are angry,” he said, in response. “They’ve been lied to,” he said, before criticizing evidence standards for the newest covid boosters, tailored to combat emerging variants.

The signals aren’t lost on audiences. The subcommittee has, like most congressional panels, posted important moments from its hearings to Twitter. Anti-vaccine activists and other public health skeptics reply frequently.

“It’s hard for me to think of a historical analogue for this — it’s not often that we have a Congressional committee producing content that has its fingers on the pulse of the antivaccine community,” Motta wrote in an e-mail, after reviewing many of the subcommittee’s tweets. “The committee isn’t expressly endorsing anti-vaccine positions, beyond opposition to vaccine mandates; but I think it’s quite possible that anti-vaccine activists take this information and run with it.”

Motta’s concern is echoed by the panel’s Democratic members. “I pray this hearing does not add to vaccine hesitancy,” said Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.), who represents Baltimore.

One witness reiterated that point. Many members “have a lot of skepticism about vaccines and were not afraid to express that,” Tina Tan, a specialist in pediatric infectious diseases at Northwestern University, told KFF Health News. She testified at the hearing on behalf of the minority.

Polling is showing a substantial — and politically driven — level of vaccine skepticism that reaches beyond covid. A slim minority of the country is up to date on vaccinations against the coronavirus, including the bivalent booster. And the share of kindergartners receiving the usual round of required vaccines — the measles, mumps, and rubella, or MMR, inoculation; tetanus; and chickenpox among them — dropped in the 202122 school year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Support for leaving vaccination choices to parents, not as school requirements, has risen by 12 percentage points since just before the pandemic, mostly due to a drop among Republicans, according to a recent poll by the Pew Research Center.

And vaccine skepticism is resonating beyond the halls of Congress. Some state governments are considering measures to roll back vaccine mandates for children. As part of a May 18 procedural opinion, Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch cited two vaccination mandates — one in the workplace, and one for service members — and wrote that Americans “may have experienced the greatest intrusions on civil liberties in the peacetime history of this country.” He made this assertion even though American military personnel have routinely been required to get shots for a host of diseases.

“We can’t get to a spot where we’re implicitly or explicitly sowing distrust of vaccines,” cautioned California Rep. Raul Ruiz, the Democratic ranking member of the coronavirus subcommittee.

(Darius Tahir/ KFF Health News)

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces indepth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism.

Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa Philstar.com file photo

Duterte, Tulfo lead Senate bets for 2025 polls – survey Dateline PhiliPPines

by Janvic Mateo Philstar.com

MANILA — Pollster Social Weather Stations (SWS) on Tuesday, June 13 confirmed that it conducted a commissioned aided survey on voting preferences for senator, with former social welfare secretary Erwin Tulfo and former president Rodrigo Duterte topping the poll.

Conducted two years before the 2025 midterm elections, the April 15 to 18 survey showed the leading list of personalities whom respondents said they would most likely vote for senator.

Unlike the results of the “unaided” survey released over the weekend, the new poll – also commissioned by former LPGMA party-list representative Arnel Ty –gave the respondents a list of 100 individuals listed in alphabetical order based on surname, from which they can choose up to 12 names.

Following Tulfo and Duterte are Sens. Pia Cayetano and Bong Go, former senator and boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, Sen. Imee Marcos, former Senate president Vicente Sotto III, Sen. Lito Lapid, former senator Panfilo Lacson,

former vice president Jejomar Binay and former Manila mayor Isko Moreno.

Outside the so-called Magic 12 were Sen. Bong Revilla, former interior secretary and senator Mar Roxas, former senator Gringo Honasan, former vice president Leni Robredo, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian, former vice president Noli de Castro, Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, former senators Francis Pangilinan and Franklin Drilon, former Quezon City mayor Herbert Bautista and Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos.

Trailing them were lawyer Chel Diokno, Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez, former senators Bam Aquino and Ralph Recto, former police chief Guillermo Eleazar, former senator Richard Gordon, former president and House Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Sen. Francis Tolentino and former senator Serge Osmeña III.

The results of the aided survey slightly varied from the unaided poll, the results of which were confirmed by SWS last weekend.

In the unaided survey, no list of names was provided to the respondents.

Leading that list was Pacquiao, followed by Revilla, former

senator Sotto, Go, former Senate president Manny Villar, Lapid, Dela Rosa, Marcos, Tulfo, Duterte, Lacson and Cayetano.

Statistically tied for 13th to 31st places were Moreno, Robredo, Binay, Diokno, Trillanes, Pangilinan, Mayor Sotto, Tolentino, Gordon, former presidential spokesman Harry Roque, lawyer Larry Gadon, Aquino, Roxas, television host Willie Revillame, doctor Willie Ong, Drilon, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Honasan and Bautista.

The difference in the survey results may be due to the high number of respondents who included ineligible candidates, such as recently elected or termlimited senators, in the unaided poll.

For instance, Senators Raffy Tulfo and Robin Padilla were chosen by 28 percent and 21 percent of respondents, respectively, significantly higher than Pacquiao’s seven percent.

Tulfo and Padilla ranked third and first, respectively, in last year’s polls.

SWS said the commissioned survey had 1,200 adult respondents and a margin of error of +/- three percent. g

Pinoys’ overall trust in news rises to 38% – report

by Janvic Mateo Philstar.com

MANILA — Filipinos’ overall trust in news increased by a point to 38 percent this year, according to a report released by Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism.

And while a majority of online users said they still prefer to read news rather than watch or listen to it, respondents in some countries, including the Philippines and Thailand, said they prefer video over text.

The report also found that Filipinos increasingly turn to short-form video platform TikTok as their news source.

Reuters Institute said 42 percent of Filipino respondents are using TikTok for any purpose, and 21 percent are using TikTok to access news.

Online and social media remain the top source of news at 86

percent (from 88 percent last year), followed by television at 52 percent (from 60 percent) and print at 14 percent (from 16 percent).

Facebook remained the top social media source for news at 72 percent (from 73 percent), followed by YouTube at 55 percent (from 57 percent), Facebook Messenger at 33 percent (from 35 percent), TikTok at 21 percent (from 15 percent), Twitter at 16 percent (same as last year) and Instagram at 14 percent (from 15 percent).

As for trusted brands, GMA Network is the most trusted media organization at 74 percent, followed by radio dzRH (68 percent trust, seven percent distrust), The Philippine STAR (68 percent trust, eight percent distrust), Super Balita dzBB (68 percent trust, eight percent distrust), Manila Bulletin (68 percent trust, nine percent distrust), TV5 (68 percent trust, 10 percent distrust), Philippine Daily Inquirer (68 percent trust,

PH on track to achieve agenda for prosperity - DBM chief

MANILA – The Philippines is heading in the right direction to attain its agenda for prosperity, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman told the Singaporean business community as she enticed them to invest in the country.

tribute to the revitalization of the Philippine economy.

among others,” Pangandaman added.

11 percent distrust), TeleRadyo (66 percent trust, eight percent distrust), regional or local newspapers (64 percent trust, eight percent distrust) and ABS-CBN (62 percent trust, 18 percent distrust).

Other brands included in the survey were Radyo Pilipinas (61 percent trust, nine percent distrust), PTV (61 percent trust, 12 percent distrust), SunStar (58 percent trust, 10 percent distrust), Abante/Abante Tonight (50 percent trust, 15 percent distrust) and Rappler (47 percent trust, 33 percent distrust).

TikTok usage worldwide increased as 44 percent of respondents aged 18 to 24 said they used TikTok for any purpose, with 20 percent using it for news –up five points from last year.

The report clarified that the survey scores “should not be treated as a list of the most or least trusted brands as it is not exhaustive.” g

During the second Philippine Economic Briefing (PEB) in Singapore, Pangandaman noted that the Marcos administration’s priority expenditures are aligned with the eight-point socioeconomic agenda and cater to the objectives under the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.

“Today, we bring you good news from the Philippines. We remain on track with our Agenda for Prosperity in spite of global headwinds and the challenges of economic recovery after the pandemic lockdowns,” Pangandaman said.

“And so, we invite you to become our partner as we build an inclusive and sustainable economy that would not only uplift every individual, family and business in the Philippines but would benefit the world and generations to come. The time to invest in the Philippines is now,” she added.

Priority sectors

Pangandaman also enumerated the Marcos government’s priority sectors that would con-

Determined to make agriculture “a driving force for growth and the main source of food security,” the current administration gave the agriculture and agrarian reform sector a budgetary boost of around 29 percent from its previous year’s allocation to improve productivity and re-establish the Philippines as the top exporter of agricultural products, Pangandaman said.

She added that the infrastructure spending was maintained at 5 to 6 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) set in the Medium-Term Fiscal Framework.

“This was allocated USD23.9 billion or 25.3 percent of the national budget and equivalent to 5.5 percent of GDP,” she said, stressing the importance of infrastructure spending to sustain the country’s growth momentum, considering that infrastructure is the “backbone of the economy.”

“The bulk of the infrastructure budget is intended for the development of physical infrastructure aimed at improving physical connectivity throughout the country through the construction of accessible road networks, railways, buildings, and flood control infrastructure,

Pangandaman said budgetary support was also provided for social infrastructure development, as well as for irrigation systems and reforestation projects.

She added that the government, acknowledging the importance of sustainable economic growth, raised the budget for climate change adaptation and mitigation measures by about 60 percent compared to the previous year’s allocation.

“This will include investments in water sufficiency and renewable energy infrastructure, as well as alternative resources,” Pangandaman said.

Pangandaman said the proposed 2024 budget will prioritize “shovel-ready” infrastructure projects, investments in human capital development, and sustainable agriculture and food security for the continuity and sustainability of gains from this year’s priority programs.

To complement the priority programs, the government is pursuing key structural reforms and introducing fresh initiatives that promote sound fiscal management, a green economy, and a more efficient and lean bureaucracy, Pangandaman said.

'Going digital'

Beyond independence

AS the country celebrated the 125th anniversary of the declaration of independence on June 12, millions of Filipinos suffering from under-education and weak literacy are unaware of the event or its significance. Jose Rizal, a staunch advocate of education, would have been disheartened by the current sad state of Philippine education.

The founding fathers would also be dismayed that on the 125th anniversary of Independence Day, a large segment of the population still needs liberation from several of the same major problems that fueled the Philippine revolution over a century ago: poverty, hunger and injustice.

Editorial

empower more Filipinos to get out of poverty, and stay out. Cash handouts to the poor, even if conditional, can be unsustainable especially for a government that supposedly faces fiscal collapse unless certain reforms are undertaken.

While the nation is no longer under colonial rule, the Philippines has yet to achieve credible defense capability against external threats. No country is an island and the world has become interconnected and economies interdependent. The Philippines can forge strategic security alliances with other states. But countries appreciate allies that make an effort to strengthen their self-defense capability. This is something that the Philippines must pursue, especially as it deals with growing external security issues.

At the same time, greater effort is needed to create an enabling environment that will

The education system, although mandatory and free from kindergarten to college, is seriously in need of fixing. The sorry state of education is affecting all aspects of life, from economic growth to the quality of governance and the way people pick candidates in elections. National competitiveness has suffered and the Philippines’ standing in the region has slipped in most of the human development indicators.

Celebrating the 125th Independence Day should include a sincere commitment to make life better for all, and not just for the miniscule segment of the population that controls money and power in this country. (Philstar.com)

US-PH relations bring in real investments

embassy.

United States have been surging.

WE celebrated the 125th year of Philippine Independence in Washington, D.C. with a record crowd composed of business people, colleagues from the diplomatic circle, members of the Filipino-American community and officials from the U.S. government, with White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan as our guest of honor.

The upbeat atmosphere reflected the vibrant and dynamic relationship between the Philippines and the United States which, if I may say so, is at the best it’s ever been. While relations with our close and only defense ally have been at times complicated, the ties that bind our two nations have remained solid over the decades. As President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. accurately stated – our relationship with the United States is an evolving one that will continue to strengthen through more robust economic and people-to-people ties. There is no doubt the deepening bilateral ties between the U.S. and the Philippines as well as our good relations with like-minded nations have put us under the radar of American companies that now see the Philippines as a safe investment choice.

Less than a year into President Marcos Jr.’s presidency, investments coming from the

Of the over $5 billion in pledges from U.S. firms engaged in a wide range of businesses, $2 billion in actual investments have been confirmed by our DTI. In August 2022, President Biden signed the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors and Science (CHIPS) Act to diversify the source of semiconductor wafers which the Philippines imports for the assembly, testing and packaging of chips. The CHIPS Act also created the International Technology Security and Innovation Fund that provides the State Department with a separate funding of $500 million ($100 million a year for five years starting in Fiscal Year 2023)

“to promote the development and adoption of secure and trustworthy telecommunications networks and ensure semiconductor supply chain security and diversification.”

We were informed by the State Department that the Philippines is among the countries that have been identified by the U.S. with which they want to partner in the semiconductor supply chain.

Companies that have been in the Philippines for many years are also gearing up for expansion, like Procter & Gamble that will open an additional plant to increase its manufacturing line to cater to both domestic and export markets. For the IT-BPM sector, Optum is establishing two locations in the Philippines for its BPM services while for logistics,

Fedex is expanding its delivery services facility to 10 times bigger than its mid-Pacific hub. For telecommunications –considered a critical global economic sector – we have Starlink that is now operational in the Philippines, the first in Southeast Asia. The U.S.Transpacific Jupiter Cable system is now also up, connecting the Philippines directly to Japan and the U.S. West Coast.

Another important sector is health care, and I am very pleased that Moderna – whose very effective mRNA anti-COVID-19 vaccines saved so many lives all over the world, including Filipinos – will set up one of three worldwide Enterprise Solutions Hub and commercial operations in the Philippines to service the Asia Pacific market.

These investment pledges from the U.S. are no pie in the sky promises; these are real dollars that are coming in.

Let me be clear: We are carrying out President Marcos’ instructions to all Philippine ambassadors – that is, to promote goodwill in our host country; bring in more investments and generate more jobs for Filipinos. As Ambassador to the United States, I will unequivocally continue to do just that, which is to keep good relations with our one and only defense treaty ally – the United States.

* * * My sincere congratulations to Rigoberto Tiglao for his recent award from the Chinese

Premature

Most unsurprisingly, Sara Duterte tops this poll. Overwhelmingly.

An article on the Manila Times website announcing the award said Tiglao was one of the awardees in the Outstanding Contributions category that “recognizes individuals of lesser prominence” but who nonetheless are making “notable contributions” in promoting Philippines-China ties.

Tiglao was the former Philippine Ambassador to Greece whose short pathetic failed stint was marked by petitions and protests for his ouster by overseas Filipino workers (https://www. gmanetwork.com/news/news/ pinoyabroad/203170/pinoyprotesters-in-greece-demandouster-of-envoy/story/) and was even described by leaders of different migrant workers’ groups as “one of the worst in Philippine diplomatic service.”

Nonetheless, Tiglao must have made his patrons happy when he called the 2016 arbitral tribunal award that invalidated China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea as “a hoax” and even had the audacity to write a book about it.

He is relentless in his efforts to denigrate the initiative taken by the Philippines to file a case before the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague that challenged the so-called ninedash-line that China has been using to claim almost the whole of the South China Sea – without even considering the basis for that suit.

He has been so prolific in

thrashing the award which many other nations – including other claimants to the disputed territories – have recognized and supported, undoubtedly making it lawful for us to demand for China to stop the harassment and bullying of Filipino fishermen who continue to suffer everyday at the loss of their livelihood. Tiglao seems to have a propensity for the “I couldn’t care less” attitude towards the plight of our OFWs and our fisherfolk.

One can only wonder, does Tiglao – who is repeatedly fact-

checked – really mean what he has been writing and saying, or is he mouthing the thoughts and words of another country? In any case, that should not really be surprising because he has actually been described, and worked as – a mouthpiece. (Philstar.com)

* * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

*

* * babeseyeview@gmail.com

PRESIDENT Bongbong Marcos’ term ends in 2028. That is about five years away, give or take a few days. There is no provision in our Constitution that allows snap elections to be called. Notwithstanding, there seems to be enough people willing to invest in early tracking polls that provide snapshots of the public’s political dispositions. The most recent of these tracking polls was released recently by polling outfit Social Weather Stations (SWS).

The poll was commissioned by the party-list LPG Marketers’ Association and was conducted nationwide April 15 to 18. There were no surprises in this poll – although there could be some insight to be generated through qualitative evaluation of the numbers. The insight could be useful for political players trying to position in the nearer term.

The sitting vice president was preferred by 28 percent of respondents, way ahead of second-placer Raffy Tulfo who polled 11 percent. She has been topping job approval and trust surveys conducted by the various polling firms. She consistently outpolled President Marcos Jr. the past few months – even as their partnership has been generating incredibly high popularity numbers through their first year in office.

In 2021, before she decided to stand down as presidential contender, Sara was leading the surveys as well. She evidently enjoys a stable base of support. This base of support enables her to take sharp and independent positions on the issues of the day. Her leading position in this latest SWS poll will likely encourage her to take a more colorful political posture – such as when she called unnamed political players “tambaloslos,” a distasteful mythical creature in

Visayan folklore.

The SWS survey, important to note, was taken in mid-April. This was before all that trouble began at the House of Representatives in the wake of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s demotion from senior deputy speaker. After that happened, Sara resigned from the Lakas party and started attacking an unnamed rival believed to be Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Popular broadcaster Raffy Tulfo is a significant second placer in the SWS poll. Recall that he was a strong candidate in last year’s Senate race. He evidently has a team in his Senate office carefully crafting his public statements and ensuring a sustained presence in the public eye. Some consider Tulfo significant enough as a political player to lead a separate party formation in the midterm elections as a step towards a presidential run in 2028. That will require a lot of hard work, however.

Placing third in public preference to lead the nation in 2028 is former vice president

Leni Robredo. Apparently, all her social media postings showing her vacationing all over the world could not shore up whatever electoral capital she has left from last year’s elections.

Curiously, former president Rodrigo Duterte, who is not qualified for another presidential run, places fourth. This indicates a significant residual constituency for the sort of renegade politics he personified. Support for the father could be imputed to the daughter, enlarging her overwhelming advantage.

Boxing champion Manny Pacquiao placed fifth with a 2-percent share of the poll. That might not be significant enough to position him as a 2028 presidential player but other tracking polls show he enjoys stronger support for a midterm senatorial run. This might be enough to seduce him back into the electoral game – if he still has financial resources to do the retail politicking in the interim.

Robin Padilla, Isko Moreno, Bongbong Marcos (who cannot run in 2028), Imee Marcos and Sandro Marcos each garnered 1 percent in the SWS poll. A few other had insignificant numbers. It is significant that House

Speaker Martin Romualdez does not figure in this very preliminary tracking poll. He has been making himself very visible the past year. That has so far failed to persuade the public about his “presidentiability.”

Romualdez, first cousin of the president, enjoys the support of nearly all the major political parties. His control of the House is unquestioned – especially as he appears to have thwarted a challenge to his leadership. The supermajority of legislators is demonstrative in their support for him.

It is this town’s worst kept secret that Romualdez is eyeing the 2028 presidential elections.

To get there, he will have to hurdle the midterm elections in 2025. The bi-factional character of our local politics could threaten the hegemony the administration parties now enjoy. Already, a small but influential number of local politicians are busy building up a new party formation that professes loyalty to the sitting president – but not the sitting speaker.

Precedent hangs heavily over Martin’s ambitions. In recent political history, two very able House Speakers leading

multiparty coalitions dared aspire for the presidency. Ramon Mitra lost to Fidel Ramos and Jose de Venecia lost to Joseph Estrada. Miserably.

While House Speakers have great power to advance a ruling coalition’s legislative agenda and maintain a high profile in the nation’s politics, they are ultimately elected only by small congressional districts where voters make their choices almost out of habit. They are local politicians, unlike senators who enjoy a nationwide voting base.

Furthermore, our most obsequious congressmen often promise but fail to deliver their districts to the House leader. Local government executives are vastly more reliable.

To be sure, the latest SWS tracking poll is premature. But it will subtly illuminate the course of action of powerbrokers in the period before that actual contest. It will probably also help shape the alignments for 2025. (Philstar. com)

* * *

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. with U.S. President Joe Biden Malacañang file photo

Marcos orders DTI to ‘bring up game,’ make PH export competitive

by Kristina Maralit ManilaTimes.net

PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Thursday, March 15 directed the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to "bring up the game" and make Philippines' export industry "prepared to compete" among the best economies in the world. He said the goal is not to just make the country "able to export to and import from."

"So, it's not one way it's trade, and that is the most important thing but what we have to do is to allow ourselves the restructuring of some of the elements within the law, that are within the rules so that we can compete on an even basis," the Chief Executive said at the sidelines of the International Trade Forum hosted by the DTI in Taguig City.

"That is why we have to bring up our game, export game, a little bit and support our exporters so that they can compete in foreign markets, and that they are able to be, not only suppliers, but

also industrial consumers of the products that are around the world. In other words, to strengthen trade... This is why we are constantly studying countries successful with their trade agreements particularly when it comes to exports," he added.

Marcos also noted that the Philippine government will be soon signing a free trade agreement with the Korean government and while also in the process of sealing FTAs with the European Union (EU) and the United States.

"The reason we are doing this is we want to open markets so that the Philippines will be able to export to and import from. So, it's not one way, it's straight," President Marcos said.

The President had underscored the importance of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement, which came into force this month, noting that the free trade pact is another significant milestone in the nation's export agenda. With RCEP's 15-country

market coverage, the Philippines could expand further its market reach for its exported goods, deepening not only the country's economic integration, but also demonstrating its global competitiveness.

"Our participation in these trade agreements not only deepens our economic integration, but also demonstrates our global competitiveness. Hence, we must continue to forge these vital agreements and preferential systems, and also maintain our good standing in, and seek renewal, of existing ones, including those with the EU and the US," he stated.

The implementation of the RCEP Agreement in the Philippines is expected to widen market opportunities, foster more cross-border regional valuechains, increase attractiveness of industries to foreign direct investments (FDIs) and promote easier participation of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in regional trade, Marcos further noted. g

PH on track to achieve agenda for prosperity...

To ensure that the Philippines becomes a “viable investment destination,” Pangandaman said the Marcos administration is keen on improving the country’s digital infrastructure, allocating around USD434.3-million funds to accelerate the digital transformation.

Pangandaman noted the issuance of Executive Order (EO) 29 this month to mandate the full adoption of the Integrated Financial Management Information System in government agencies to ensure the efficient delivery of quality services to the public.

She said EO 29 complements EO 170 issued in 2022 which directs the adoption of digital payments for government disbursements and collections.

“Here’s more good news—we are going digital,” Pangandaman said. “These twin EOs are big strides towards bureaucratic efficiency, encouraging the digitalization of government transactions. And soon, we hope to also pass the Progressive Budgeting for Better and

Modernized Governance Bill the institutionalization of Public Financial Management reforms such as the Cash Budgeting System.”

Pangandaman said the government is also working on building a “more agile, efficient, and responsive” government workforce through the National Government Rightsizing Program, which is intended to minimize and eliminate overlaps and duplication of functions and reduce costs, processing time, and other regulatory requirements in public transactions.

Maharika Investment Fund (MIF)

Pangandaman also briefed the Singaporean business leaders about the Congress’ approval of a bill creating the proposed MIF, which is envisioned as the Philippines’ first ever Sovereign Wealth Fund, the Maharlika Investment Fund.

She said the Marcos administration expects the launching of the MIF before yearend.

“We are really looking forward to seeing this boost economic development through

Six Fil-Ams named ‘Grand Agers’ for...

PAGE 3

union could be possible. CVEA works with the Mexican, Filipino, and Yemeni communities to address food and water scarcity, housing, drug dependence and more to transform the valley one county at a time.

Above her accomplishments

of John Wells Production Hollywood, and Gladys Smith, Assistant CEO of San Mateo County Employees Retirement Association.

safety tips for people who witness or experience hate attacks.

June 8, 2023

strategic and profitable investments in infrastructure and other key sectors...with your investments, of course. As you can see, the Philippines is back in business and means business,” Pangandaman said.

“The Philippines used to be the ‘Darling of Southeast Asia.’ I am certain that with your investments and support, the Philippines will not only be the darling but also the ‘Sweetheart of Asia.’ So, we look forward to ‘Passion Made Possible’ in the Philippines,” she added. Singapore is one of the top sources of Foreign Direct Investments in the Philippines.

The first PEB Singapore resulted in USD6.5 billion worth of investment pledges, topped by investment in the transportation sector for the manufacturing of electronic tricycles valued at USD5 billion.

The investment commitments also include investment in renewable energy through floating solar panels generating energy to power communities, amounting to USD1.2 billion.

(PNA)

Clar k County Fire Department FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU

4701 W. Russell Road • Las Vegas, NV 89118

John Steinbeck, Fire Chief Kelly Blackmon, Sr. Deputy Fire Chief/Fire Marshal

Danny Horvat, Assistant Fire Chief • Wayne Dailey, Assistant Fire Chief

PATALASTAS SA PUBLIKO

Mga Mungkahi’ng Pagbabago sa Kodigo ng Lalawigan ng Clark Tungkol sa: Titulo 13, Kabanata 13.04 Mangyaring bigya’ng pansin na ang isang panuntunan ay iminumungkahi ng Lupon ng mga Komisyonero ng Lalawigan sa Lalawigan ng Clark upang susugan ang Titulo 13, Kabanata 13.04 ng Kodigo ng Lalawigan ng Clark at ang mga kailangan ng pamahaya’ng pang-wisik sa sunog sa pamamagitan ng pag-alis sa 5,000 kwadrado’ng talampakan sa bungad; pag-alis ng kinakailangan upang mapataas ang NFPA 13R sistema ng pang-wisik sa sunog; susugan ang molde upang ipakita ang mga kinakailangan para sa hindi pangkaraniwa’ng sistema ng pang-wisik sa sunog sa pamahayan; idagdag ang kinakailangang ikabit sa kisame’ng mahigit 24 talampakan; susugan ang plano ng daho’ng dagdag ng sibil na pagpapaunlad upang madagdagan ang pinaka-mahaba’ng haba ng kalye sa 600 talampakan; at pagbibigay sa iba pang mga bagay na maayos na nauugnay dito tulad ng sumusunod:

13.04.090 - Susugan ang kinakailangan para sa pagtataas ng pang-wisik sa sunog

13.04.115 - Tanggalin ang kinakailangan na ang lawak ng tirahan ay lagpas sa 5,000 kwadrado talampakan

13.04.330 - Tanggalin ang Seksyon 22.38 ng NFPA 13

13.04.340 - Tanggalin at palitan ang Seksyon 8.4 ng NFPA 13D

13.04.340 - Idagdag ang Kung Saan Kinakailangan at Pagbubukod

13.04.340 - Idagdag ang mga kinakailangan ng pang-wisik sa sunog ayon sa taas ng kisame

13.04.340 - Idagdag ang Kinakailangan ng Sistema ng Presyon at pagbubukod

13.04.350 - Tanggalin ang Seksyon 7.5 ng NFPA 13R

13.04.520 - Susugan ang haba nang wala nang papasuka’ng kalye

Ang kopya ng iminungkahi’ng panuntunan ay kalakip dito at maaari ding marepaso sa: https://www.clarkcountynv.gov/government/departments/fire_department/fire_prevention_inspections/index.php Bago ang pagpapatibay sa iminungkahi’ng panuntunan, ang Lupon ng mga Komisyonero ng Lalawigan sa Lalawigan ng Clark ay inatasan ng NRS 237.080 na gumawa ng isang pinagsama-sama’ng pagsisikap upang matukoy kung ang panukala’ng panuntunan ay magpapataw ng isang direkto at malaki’ng pasanin sa ekonomiya nang isang negosyo o direkto’ng paghihigpitan ang pagbuo, pagpapatakbo o pagpapalawak ng isang negosyo. Dahil dito, ang mga samahan sa pangangalakal, may-ari at mga opisyal ng mga negosyo na malamang na maapektuhan ng iminungkahi’ng panuntunan na ito, at ang iba pang interesado’ng mga tao ay kinakailanga’ng patalastasan at bigyan ng pagkakataon na magsumite ng mga komento, datos, o argumento sa Lalawigan tungkol sa kung ang iminungkahi’ng panuntunan ay:

a) Magpapataw ng isang direkto at malaki’ng pasanin sa ekonomiya nang isang negosyo; o

b) Direkto’ng paghihigpitan ang pagbuo, pagpapatakbo o pagpapalawak ng isang negosyo. Ang mga komento ay kailanga’ng isumite nang hindi lalampas sa 5:30 n.h.sa July 6, 2023 (ilagay ang petsa dito) tulad ng sumusunod:

Sa pamamagitan ng Pagdadala sa:

Kagawaran ng Sunog sa Lalawigan ng Clark - Kawanihan ng Pag-iwas sa Sunog

Attn: Sarah Stevens, Sekretarya Administrado

4701 W. Russell Road, Las Vegas, NV 89118

Lunes hanggang Huwebes mula 7:30 n.u hanggang 5:30 n.h.

Sa Pamamagitan ng Koreo sa:

Kagawaran ng Sunog sa Lalawigan ng Clark - Kawanihan ng Pag-iwas sa Sunog

Attn: Sarah Stevens, Sekretarya Administrado

4701 W. Russell Road, Las Vegas, NV 89118

Sa pamamagitan ng email sa: SHS@ClarkCountynv.gov

Sa paksimile sa: (702) 678-5220

Ang isang kopya ng iminungkahi’ng panuntunan ay makikita din para suriin sa: https://www.clarkcountynv.gov/government/departments/fire_department/fire_prevention_inspections/index.php

at Kagawaran ng Sunog sa Lalawigan ng Clark

Lobi sa Una’ng Palapag

575 E. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV 89119

Lunes hanggang Huwebes mula 7:30 n.u. hanggang 5:30 n.h.

Lalawigan ng Clark Kagawaran ng Sunog - Kawanihan ng Pag-iwas sa Sunog

Lobi ng Kustomer

4701 W. Russell Road, Las Vegas, NV 89118

Lunes hanggang Huwebes mula 7:30 n.u. hanggang 5:30 n.h.

Taos puso,

JOHN STEINBECK Hepe sa Sunog

Bonta is best known as the mother of achiever children: mental health/sports performance specialist Lisa B. Sumii, diversity, equity and inclusion blogger Marcelo Bonta, and California’s first FilAm elected to the State Legislature, now the first male Asian American Attorney General in California history, Rob Bonta.

Everyone’s “Ninang” or godmother Perla Gange Ibarrientos, 88, is a co-founder of the Filipino Democratic Club of San Mateo County, Pilipino Bayanihan Resource Center and Filipino Mental Health Initiative – cornerstones of her home city’s empowerment efforts.

She is PBRC board chair, Daly City Personnel Commissioner and founding member of the Daly City Task Force on Age Friendly Communities formed in 2019 to ensure the independence and wellbeing of older adults wherever they decide to reside.

The former pharmacist from Iloilo and her husband of 58 years Mig Ibarrientos are proudest of their children Glenn, recently retired US Air Force Major and Director of Public Health Nurses of San Mateo County; Joy Ann Daffern, Executive Vice President

Parishioners of Star of the Sea in San Francisco expect to see Peter and Estrelle Chan at every activity in the church where they have been ministering since the 1980s.

The couple’s service began when their twin sons Palmer and Petrel attended the parish school. Estrelle, who will be 80 next year, has been presiding over the FAASTAR or Filipino American Association of Star of the Sea Church for 15 years. They raise funds and “motivate parishioners to participate in building a friendly and stewardship community” while “introducing Filipino culture,” says Peter, 88.

The Chans have honored their church commitment through their unimaginable grief in 1994 when Petrel was killed in a hit-and-run on 19th Avenue in San Francisco.

The tragedy drew an outpouring of support from their parish and beyond, intensifying the couple’s devotion to serve.

Safety tips, resources

Set for the week commemorating World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the event will also address the unabated hate crimes against Asians as a result of being scapegoated for the spread of COVID

19. Dr. Jei Africa, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services

Director of San Mateo County Health System, will recommend

In collaboration the City of South San Francisco, Positively Filipino, Philippine News Today and San Mateo Behavioral Health & Recovery Services, ALLICE is presenting the free and open to the public event in person for the first time since the pandemic shelter in place mandate. The event takes place 2-4 pm, Saturday, June 17, at the South San Francisco Municipal Services Building. San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa will give the keynote remarks. Former Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo, founder of Angat Buhay, a PH-based nonprofit volunteer movement to uplift Filipinos, will deliver a message encouraging the bayanihan system.

Tessie Madrinan, coordinator of Peninsula Family Service Filipino Peer Counseling program, will present the 9 Acts of Kindness to Empower Older Adults.

Twenty-five family resource providers will be present to consult on their programs and services. The A-List, ALLICE’s free resource directory underwritten by the Town of Colma, will be distributed. Refreshments will be served and free raffle will be drawn immediately at the end of the program compliments of donor allies led by Lucky Chances, Moonstar, Duggan’s Serra Mortuary, Classic Bowl, FilAm Cuisine 2 and Serramonte Center. For more information visit www.ALLICE Kumares.com. g

TEMPORARY SHELTER. Modular tents are set up inside a basketball court in Remarville Subdivision in Novaliches, Quezon City on Wednesday, June 14 to temporarily accommodate fire victims. At dawn on the same day, 10 houses along Pascual Street in Barangay Bagbag were engulfed by a fire that reached second alarm. PNA photo by Joan Bondoc

VEGAS&STYLE

Vanessa Hudgens’ Independence Day post draws mixed reactions from Pinoys Jo Koy joins producing team  of Here Lies Love on Broadway

by Jeline Malasig Philstar.com

THE Independence Day post of Philippines global tourism ambassador Vanessa Hudgens was met with mixed reactions from Filipino social media users.

To commemorate the country’s national holiday, the Filipino-American actress shared a photo during her visit to the Philippines for a travel documentary on her Pinoy heritage.

The Philippines celebrated its 125th Independence Day (also Araw ng Kasarinlan) on Monday, June 12.

The day marks the period when the country showed its resolve to consider itself absolved of allegiance to the Spanish crown, the first and longest colonizers of the Philippines.

Vanessa was among those who posted about the national holiday on social media.

She shared a photo of herself wearing a champagne-colored terno dress when she visited the Malacañang for the bestowment of her title.

“Maligayang [A]raw ng [K] alayaan, [P]ilipinas! (heart symbol),” the actress wrote on Instagram on June 13.

“Happy [I]independence [D] ay, [P]Philippines (Philippine flag emoji) learning about my heritage and history was so empowering. Connecting to the land and people. Can’t wait to get back,” Vanessa added.

She also accompanied her post with the hashtag “#WeGiveTheWorldOurBest,” the muchtalked-about phrase which had a senator calling out the tourism department as the campaign

“commodifies Filipinos.”

The phrase was spotted in an overseas ad that featured British-Filipina nurse May Parsons who administered the world’s first COVID-19 vaccine in England.

Vanessa’s Independence Day post was well-received by some Pinoys who cheered her for commemorating what is called the “true birthday of the Philippine nation,” according to a former president.

“We indeed #givetheworlfourbest. Thank you for being our voice,” an Instagram user partly wrote.

“Happy [I]independence [D] ay, kababayan,” another online user wrote with a Philippine flag emoji.

“I love that you embrace Filipino culture and history, @vanessahudgens! Maligayang [A] raw ng [K]alayaan (Philippine flag emoji),” commented a differ-

ent Pinoy.

Others, however, were more wary of Vanessa’s Philippine-oriented post.

“It took you 30+ years to love [PH]? Lol,” a Filipino on Facebook wrote.

Talaga ba, sis,” another social media user commented.

“Aralin mo muna correct spelling man lang ng Pilipinas at Philippines, ineng… My heritage and history ka [diyan]!” exclaimed a different Pinoy. Kasama sa pay kaya may pagreet na ganyan, but noon ay waley [wala],” another Facebook user wrote.

Vanessa’s appointment as the country’s global tourism ambassador was previously met with mixed comments, with some Pinoys suggesting other personalities who they felt were more apt for the role due to their evident love for the Philippines.

These include Filipino-American influencer Bretman Rock who is vocal about his Pinoy heritage and South Korean personality Sandara Park who frequently posts about the Philippines on her social media accounts, among others.

The government’s global tourism ambassador initiative is part of the branding campaign and marketing strategy of Paul Soriano’s office and the tourism department.

Soriano, the nephew-in-law of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, is the presidential adviser on creative communications.

The global tourism ambassador initiative aims to attract international tourists and push for the resurgence of the Philippines as a travel destination.

STAND-UP comedian and actor Jo Koy (Easter Sunday and The Monkey King) has joined the Broadway producing team of Here Lies Love, ahead of the new musical’s Broadway beginning performance on Saturday, June 17.

Jo Koy said, “Here Lies Love is a celebration of Filipino culture and I’m so honored to be a part of this groundbreaking musical. For the first time, Broadway will get to see what we have always known, that Filipinos are some of the most talented entertainers.”

“On behalf of all of our producers," said Diana DiMenna, "we welcome Jo Koy and his internationally renowned Pinoy Pride to our fully binational team.”

From the minds of Grammy®, Oscar®, and Tony Award® winner David Byrne (concept, music and lyrics) and Grammy Award® winner Fatboy Slim (music), Here

Lies Love tells the story of Imelda Marcos' rise to power and subsequent fall at the hands of the Philippine People Power Revolution.

The show features the first all-Filipino cast to perform on Broadway: Arielle Jacobs (In The Heights, Aladdin, Between The Lines) as “Imelda Marcos,” Jose Llana (The King and I, The 25th Annual Putnam Country Spelling Bee) as “Ferdinand Marcos,” Conrad Ricamora (“How to Get Away with Murder,” The King and I, Soft Power – Grammy nominations) as “Ninoy Aquino,” Melody Butiu, Moses Villarama, Jasmine Forsberg, Reanne Acasio, Jaygee Macapugay, Julia Abueva, Renée Albulario, Aaron Alcaraz, Carol Angeli, Nathan Angelo, Kristina Doucette, Roy Flores, Timothy Matthew Flores, Sarah Kay, Jeigh Madjus, Aaron "AJ" Mercado, Geena Quintos, Shea Renne, and Angelo Soriano. Tony and Olivier Award winner Lea Salonga, a global Filipina legend, will also join the cast for a special guest engagement this summer, performing for five weeks from Tuesday, July 11 through Sunday, August 13.

Developed & directed by Tony

Award winner Alex Timbers, with choreography by Olivier Award nominee Annie-B Parson and additional music by Tom Gandey and J Pardo, Here Lies

Love will transform the Broadway Theatre (1681 Broadway at 53rd Street) into a dance club where the audience is immersed in the story. The musical begins performances Saturday, June 17 ahead of an official opening night on Thursday, July 20.

Ticketing information

Tickets are on sale now at Telecharge.com, by phone at 212239-6200, or at the Broadway Theatre box office.

For information on groups of 10+, contact Broadway Inbound at broadwayinbound.com or call 866-302-0995.

Here Lies Love transforms the Broadway Theatre's floor space into a dance club environment, where some audience members will stand and move with the actors, and others will enjoy from traditional theater seating. Multiple ticketing options will provide audience members with unique and immersive points of view. For more information, visit https:// herelieslovebroadway.com/#ticketingoptions.

Additional show information

From its world premiere at The Public Theater in 2013, Here Lies Love has enjoyed popular and critical acclaim. The show returned to The Public in 20142015, debuted at London’s Royal National Theatre in 2014, and most recently opened at Seattle Repertory Theatre in 2017. The creative team for Here Lies Love on Broadway includes threetime Tony Award® nominee David Korins (scenic design), Tony Award® winner Clint Ramos (costume design), Tony Award® winner Justin Townsend (lighting design), M.L. Dogg & Cody Spencer (sound design), and three-time Tony Award® nominee Peter Nigrini (projection design), with casting by Tara Rubin CSA, Xavier Rubiano CSA, Gail Quintos and general management by Foresight Theatrical. Additional creative team members include ATW Jonathan Larson Grant recipient J. Oconer Navarro (music director), Billy Bustamante (assistant director), Renée Albulario (assistant choreographer), Bobby Garcia (casting consultant/ Philippines), Gregory T. Livoti (production stage manager), and Ryan Gohsman and Sheryl Polancos (assistant stage manPAGE 9

Trailblazing Filipino shoe designer is proud Miss Filipina International sponsor

JOJO Bragais, the young Filipino shoe designer and entrepreneur who made a fashion coup when his quality platform high-heel shoes were worn by the candidates in the 2023 Miss Universe pageant, is a proud sponsor of the 10th Miss Filipina International (MFI) pageant to be held on August 5, 2023 at the International Ballroom of The Beverly Hilton.

The talented and trailblazing impresario, who is proud that his well-made shoes are handmade by Filipinos in Binangonan, Rizal, Philippines, has earned the respect of leaders and influencers in the fashion and beauty industry. He has been the goto person when it comes to designing comfortable shoes not only for the runway or the beauty pageant stage but also for regular people who simply want to stand tall and look queenly in their Bragais shoes.

Born Jojo Bragais, the newsmaking Pinoy grew up in Albay, Bicol. He is a licensed midwife and nurse by profession but fate brought him to shoemaking and shoe designing. He was instantly hooked. In such a short time, Jojo Bragais Shoes have made a mark in the fashion and beauty pageant world.

The more than 40 lovely candidates of MFI will be wearing a pair from Jojo Bragais Shoes when they compete during the blacktie gala event. They will vie for these titles: Miss Filipina International; Miss Tourism; First Runner-up; Second Runner-up; and Third Runner-up.

Miss Filipina International (MFI), now owned by Geoffrey Jimenez, chairman of the board of directors of Worldwide Media

Entertainment Corporation, lauded the sponsorship of Jojo Bragais Shoes.

“Having Jojo Bragais Shoes as one of our major sponsors is another big step in our commitment to give the best incentives to our candidates,” said Jimenez, a Filipino American community leader, and arts and culture patron.

Follow and connect with Jojo Bragais Shoes on their Facebook Page (BRAGAIS SHOES) and their Instagram and TikTok

In addition to the previously announced top prize of either a BMW 3 Series car or a $10,000 cash prize, the winner will also receive a $10,000 gift certificate from iSkin Beverly Hills in the prestigious pageant that will be held on Saturday, August 5, at The Beverly Hilton’s International Ballroom, the venue of the Golden Globe Awards, the Academy nominees luncheon, Clive Davis’ pre-Grammy party and other prestigious events.

MFI also offers the exciting incentive that three winners will be eligible to compete next year in Miss Universe Philippines (MUP) while two winners will vie in The Miss Philippines

The Philippines is considered a beauty pageant powerhouse, having produced many winners and top finalists in Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss International, among others. The MFI winners this August will be welcome additions to the Philippines’ roster of beauty queens.

For sponsorship inquiries, email: missfilipinainternational@

Vanessa Hudgens in this photo posted on her Instagram on June 10, 2023.

Photo from Instagram/@vanessahudgens

Jo Koy

Rabiya continues search for biological dad in US

by Jan Milo Severo Philstar.com

KAPUSO actress Rabiya Mateo will try to look for her long-lost dad Mohammed Abdullah Syed Moqueet Hashmi.

In a report by PEP, Rabiya said that she thinks that her dad is in Chicago.

"Ang alam ko nasa U.S. po siya, last state niya was Chicago," she said.

"I tried to look for him, even 'yung mga kasing-last name niya na taga-Chicago mine-message ko. Pero sad ending talaga palagi. Like, they don’t know my dad," she added.

She said that she knows that she will find her dad and see him again.

"Kasi in my heart I can feel na I'm gonna see him."

Rabiya said that she tried to look for her dad back in 2021 when she's competing in Miss Universe.

"Pero during that time, iba 'yung priority, like meet and greet, compete. 'Yung mindset nasa competition dapat, I have to win.

"And nu'ng kailangan ko nang umuwi, wala namang tsansa na kasi wala nang oras.

"So, siguro ngayon na I have the resources na, gusto kong maglaan po sana ng at least one month to be there and to look for him."

She and boyfriend Jeric Gonzales will try to go to US on her birthday this November to look for her dad.

"Kung papayagan ng schedule, I was… pinag-usapan namin ni Jeric, probably mga, during my birthday, November, kung papayagan ng management, gusto kong pumunta sa USA,” she said.

Defend against scammers who target your Social Security benefits

by annie WalterS Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Nevada

SCAMMERS are always finding new ways to steal your money and personal information by exploiting your fears. The most effective way to defeat scammers is to know how to identify scams and to ignore suspicious calls and emails.

One common tactic scammers use is posing as federal agents or other law enforcement. They may claim your Social Security number (SSN) is linked to a crime. They may even threaten to arrest you if you do not comply with their instructions. Here are three things you should do:

• Hang up right away or do not reply to the email.

receive a phone call from someone who claims there’s a problem with your SSN or your benefits. If you owe money to us, we will mail you a letter explaining your rights, payment options, and information about appealing.

There are a few ways you can identify a scam call or email. Remember that we will never:

• Threaten you with benefit suspension, arrest, or other legal action unless you pay a fine or fee.

• Promise a benefit increase or other assistance in exchange for payment.

• Require payment by retail gift card, cash, wire transfer, internet currency, or prepaid debit card.

• Demand secrecy from you in handling a Social Security-related problem.

• Send official letters or reports containing personally identifiable information via email.

Jo Koy joins producing team of Here...

reached all kinds of people and has translated into sold-out arenas around the world.

• Never give personal information or payment of any kind.

• Report the scam at oig.ssa.gov to immediately notify the law enforcement team in our Office of the Inspector General. You should continue to remain vigilant if you

If you do not have ongoing business with our agency, it is unlikely we will contact you. Again, if you get a suspicious call claiming to be from us or law enforcement about Social Security, you should hang up and report it right away to our Office of the Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov. agers). Giselle “G” Töngi is the show’s Cultural and Community Liaison.

Here Lies Love is produced by Hal Luftig/Kevin Connor, Patrick Catullo, Diana DiMenna & Plate Spinner Productions, Clint Ramos, and Jose Antonio Vargas, with Aaron Lustbaderserving as Executive Producer.

They are joined by Lea Salonga, H.E.R., Jo Koy, Rob Laqui, Eva LaBadie, Marikit Ventures/Georgina Pazcoguin, Bobby Garcia/ Girlie Rodis, Miranda Gohh/Adam Hyndman, Don Michael H. Mendoza/Lora Nicholas Olaes, Celia Kaleialoha Kenney/ Giselle “G” Töngi, No Guarantees, Yasuhiro Kawana, Elise K. Haas, Shira Friedman, Len Blavatnik Warner Music Entertainment, Wendy Federman/Suzanne Niedland, Cathy Dantchik, James L. Nederlander, Elizabeth Armstrong, John Gore Organization, The Shubert Organization, Hunter Arnold, LaChanze, The Public Theater, Eastern Standard Time, Triptyk Studios, Iris Smith, Michael Robin Productions/Anastasia Muravyeva, Alexi Melvin/Beesham A. Seecharan, Andrew Diamond/ Patrick Trettenero, Buzzy Geduld/ Gilad Rogowsky, Laura Ivey/Janet Brenner, and David Brendel/Charlotte Cohn.

As one of today’s premiere stand-up comedians, Jo Koy has come a long way from his modest beginnings performing in a Las Vegas coffee house. Jo’s uniquely relatable comedy pulls inspiration from his colorful family that has

In 2022, Koy kicked off his Funny Is Funny World Tour by selling-out the Climate Pledge Arena (over 14,000 tickets) in his hometown of Seattle and ended the tour with a sold-out show at Tacoma Dome (over 19,000 tickets). Today, he continues breaking sales records at some of the most prestigious venues around the world including Mall of Asia Arena (Manila, PH), The Forum (Los Angeles), Coca-Cola Arena (Dubai), ICC Theatre (Sydney, AU), Radio City Music Hall (New York City), and FTX Arena (Miami) to name a few. This past November, Koy sold-out Madison Square Garden for the first time marking another milestone for the comedian. In 2017, Koy broke a record for the most tickets sold by a single artist at 23,000 tickets and 11 sold-out shows at The Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall in Honolulu.

In response, the mayor’s office in Honolulu proclaimed November 24th as “Jo Koy Day.”

Koy recently starred in the Universal Picture film Easter Sunday, set around a family gathering to celebrate Easter Sunday, the comedy is based on Jo Koy's life experiences and stand-up comedy. Easter Sunday is currently available on Blu-ray, DVD and on-demand. He’ll next be seen voicing the character Bendo in the upcoming Netflix animated film, Monkey King releasing world-wide on August 18th.

His highly anticipated 4th Net-

flix stand-up special, Live From The Los Angeles Forum premiered globally on September 2022. The special is a follow up to his 2019 Netflix special, Comin’ In Hot. Koy has already had four highly rated and successful stand-up specials on Comedy Central and Netflix. In June 2020, the comedian released his first variety special, Jo Koy: In His Elements on Netflix in which Koy brings the laughs and beats to Manila, spotlighting local culture in a one-of-a-kind show featuring Filipino-American comedians, DJs and B-boys.  In 2021, Koy released his first autobiography, Mixed Plate: Chronicles of an All-American Combo with Harper Collins Publishers to raved reviews. In this funny and moving memoir, Koy uncovers the stories behind his stand-up: the conflict, the drama and the laughter as he struggles to find his place in the entertainment industry, his home and around the world.

In 2019, Jo Koy reached #1 on the Billboard Charts for his stand-up comedy album, Live From Seattle, and in 2018, he was given the prestigious “Stand-Up Comedian Of The Year” award at the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal.

Currently Jo is performing on his Jo Koy World Tour. For more info on his comedy, book and tour dates, please visit: Jokoy.com.

Koy is repped by Arsonhouse Entertainment, CAA and Hirsch Wallerstein Hayum Matlof +Fishman.

Rabiya Mateo Photo from Instagram/@rabiyamateo

MD, FaCS, FPCS

‘INSPIRE’ for Sleep Apnea?

The commercials on “Inspire,” the implantable stimulator of the hypoglossal nerve that controls the tongue to prevent it from falling back and obstructing the airway, is not transparent, disingenuous, and confusing to the public. It is a dishonest ad that infers “Inspire” is the treatment for sleep apnea, and a superior one. This is not true. The golden standard of care for obstructive sleep apnea is CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) which keeps the airway open and unobstructed for healthy breathing and air exchange. All of this, without surgery. “Inspire” is an alternative for those who do not tolerate CPAP and is not the “first choice.” “Inspire” also requires surgery, an invasive procedure to implant a nerve stimulator for the tongue.

Other misleading ads

Besides the fake news in the social media, ads on television and other commercials often advertise to sell, skirting around the truth and honest information, with claims that are not supported by science or fact. Some of these items are Balance of Nature fruits and vegetables capsules, Prevagen, and Neuriva pills to improve brain health, Ampalaya capsules for diabetes, to mention a few. Eating the required 8 servings of fruits and vegetables is healthier than taking the questionable processed capsules. There are also thousands of cosmetic and other products with all sorts of claims that are false. I have yet to see randomized, double-blind medical evidential data from renowned medical or research centers to prove that these products are safe, and effective as claimed in the dosage they recommend. In many cases, the unsuspecting public is duped and scammed into parting with their money by unconscionable entrepreneurs. Unfortunately, the U.S. FDA and DOJ, etc., are unable to monitor/oversee these manufacturers and protect the public. Indeed, caveat emptor!

Stem cell Rx

Similarly, medical (some are physicians) businessmen, motivated by the glitter of money are making bold claims that they can administer stem cell therapy “with good results” for a younger feel and look, for rejuvenating arthritic painful joints, for prevention of cancers, and other ridiculous contentions. Those are all misinformation victimizing the innocent and gullible, just to pad their pocketbook. At this point in time, June 8, 2023,

Medical scams & gems

the “ONLY stem cell-based treatment that is (scientifically legit) routinely reviewed and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is hematopoietic (or blood) stem cell transplantation to treat patients with cancers and disorders that affect the blood (like leukemia, etc.) and the immune system.” All other claims are false and scams.

‘Smokeless’ COPD

The most common and popular form of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is the one caused by cigarette (tobacco) smoking. People who have never smoked could also develop COPD, as seen among those with GERD (Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease) whose GE valve has somehow gotten incompetent, allowing hydrochloric acid (naturally found in the stomach to aid digestion) and acid fumes to be inhaled. This “invisible acid” is inhaled into the lungs and causes damages to the pulmonary tissues, much like what tobacco smoke does to the lungs. Over the years, a GERD patient, especially those not treated, will develop COPD and all its symptoms.

GERD Rx

Some helpful tips for those with GERD. Discomfort by the pit of the stomach, right under the breastbone, could be from acid reflux from the stomach causing a burning sensation in the lower ends of the food pipe (esophagus). Consult your physician; elevate the head of your bed about 10-15 degrees, to prevent stomach contents from going back up to the food pipe; avoid soft drinks (they are toxic), spicy foods, coffee, and alcohol, especially at night; eat about 3-4 hours prior to bedtime; and take your prescribed medications for acid reflux, like famotidine at night and esomeprazole in the mid-morning. Drink plenty of water. Your physician might recommend an initial upper endoscopy to vie the food pipe and the stomach.

Poop ‘transplant’

Human fecal microbial transplantation (FMT) is an FDA-approved procedure to collect, process, and transplant feces from vetted health donors to sick patients who had antibiotic therapy who developed C. difficile colitis as a result of the therapy which killed some good bacteria in the gut, and lately FMT is being tried for those with Ulcerative Colitis. The procedure is done through colonoscopy to introduce the processed donor stool into the patient’s gut. A “poop” capsule is being developed, yes, to be swallowed. I am sure it would be an odorless and neat-looking capsule. (Imagine swallowing someone else’s poop to get better. Amazing science,

indeed!) FMT would eliminate the need for colonoscopy to transplant the donor feces. The aim is to replenish the healthy bacteria thru FMT and achieve a healthy microbiome. The cost of the entire procedure is nearly $1,000. Almost as expensive as gold!

LGBTQ issues

We must accept all God’s creations, regardless of color, religion, gender, political affiliations, for our own mental health and sanity. Stop the debate already as to which bathroom to use, which sports (competition) team to join. The issue is complex but to me, the solution is plain and simple: Have three bathrooms: One for females, one for males, and one for the LGBTQs. And if the LGBTQ wants to sub-divide their bathrooms for their specific preferences, so be it; and have 3 separate distinct competition leagues: one for females, one for males, and one for LGBTQs to compete against fellow LGBTQs, or a sub-division of this group, if the LGBTQ wants. In other words, let us understand and accommodate each group, or subgroup, and the LGBTQ group should also be sensitive to, understanding, just and compassionate with the original two genders. Let us not belabor the point and cause another divide in society. There are already too many. Let us live in peace, love, and harmony and de-stress our brain for our mental health. We have many more serious and pressing matters to deal with as residents of Planet Earth.

* * *

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

* * *

The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health.

* * *

Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He was a recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry Truman, President George HW Bush, Muhammad Ali and Astronaut Gus Grissom (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today. SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.

Social Security’s commitment to the LGBTQ+ community

by annie Walters Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Nevada

JUNE is Pride Month. It’s a time to acknowledge the LGBTQ+ community, and also celebrate diversity, love, and respect. On June 26, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, holding that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry in all states.

We recognize same-sex couples’ marriages in all states, and some non-marital legal relationships (such as some civil unions and domestic partnerships). This recognition is important to determine entitlement to benefits.

Here are five things you should know about our benefits for same-sex couples:

• Marital status is important — A member of a same-sex couple may be entitled when a spouse receives retirement or disability benefits or dies. We also consider marital status when we determine eligibility and payment amount for Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

• What type of benefits you can receive — Social Security taxes pay for three kinds of benefits: retirement, disability, and survivors. If you’re entitled to benefits, your spouse and eligible family members might receive benefits, too.

• Children may receive benefits — Your children or stepchildren could also be entitled to benefits.

• When you apply for benefits is important — If you’re married or have entered a nonmarital legal relationship, we encourage you to apply right away, even if you’re not sure you’re eligible. Applying now may protect you against the loss of any potential benefits.

• Report life changes right away — You should let us know

immediately if you move, marry, separate, divorce, or become the parent of a child. Don’t wait until we review your benefits to tell us about any changes. You should

report changes right away so benefits are paid correctly. For more information, please visit our website for same-sex couples at www.ssa.gov/people/

THE owner of Weera Thai, a popular Thai restaurant in Las Vegas, says she is excited to share with her customers more than just authentic & traditional cuisine from her native country. She is also on a mission to build a brand that embraces diversity and multicultural awareness in the community.

“Most Americans are probably now familiar with Thai cuisine but our culture is more than just about the food,” said Sasi Photidokmai. “We love to see our customers learn more about what makes our country and culture so unique and beautiful”.

Diners who stopped by the Weera Thai location on Rainbow Boulevard earlier this month got to experience another aspect of Thai culture with a 3-day mini concert performed by the “MoradokMai” (New Heritage) Theater Company and School. This troupe of young Thai musical artists made a stop in Las Vegas as part of a tour across the US. Moradokmai is led by Mr. Janaprakul Chandruang or “Kru Chang”, a Thai National artist and acclaimed actor & educator in Thailand. Chandruang started this theater community and homeschool as a nonprofit and self-reliance-based organization back in 2005.

Diners who stopped by the Weera Thai location on Rainbow Boulevard earlier this month got to experience another aspect of Thai culture with a 3-day mini concert performed by the “MoradokMai” (New Heritage) Theater Company and School. This troupe of young Thai musical artists made a stop in Las Vegas as part of a tour across the US. Moradokmai is led by Mr. Janaprakul Chandruang or “Kru Chang”, a Thai National artist and acclaimed actor & educator in Thailand. Chandruang started this theater community and homeschool as a nonprofit and self-reliance-based organization back in 2005.

“I am just an ordinary teacher trying to collaborate art and music between West and East and somehow lay the foundation for the kids for them to grow in their own fruitful ways,” said Chandruang.

This is not the theater troupe’s first stop in Las Vegas but the first time performing at Weera Thai Restaurant.

For Photidokmai, who has owned and operated Weera Thai since the first location opened in 2008, she admitted she never heard of Moradokmai before the students reached out. But she said as soon as she learned more about their mission and background, she immediately agreed for them to perform at her restaurant while they are here in Las Vegas.

“These days, very few people pay attention to traditional Thai culture and music and because of that, they are gradually fading away,” said Photidokmail. So when I heard about Moradokmai and what they are doing to help preserve our culture, I knew we wanted to support them. And these students are amazing. They are really talented and such

wonderful ambassadors of Thai culture.”

The young Thai artists performed a number of songs that blend Traditional Thai music with contemporary sounds. One of the students named Chadok, said the experience of traveling and performing around the world with this company is priceless.

“I like the people in Las Vegas. They are very nice. I love to play music, sing and talk to people about culture and what we do at school. It’s really fun”. For Chandruang, he said touring the US is like a homecoming for him. He once lived in the US and attended the University of Montana. He said the impact his theater company has had on everyone they meet in their global tour has been nothing short of amazing. “Moradokmai. It means new heritage. It means appreciating the wisdom of the past but not ignoring new and up and coming generations,” said Chandruang. “I envy my students because I could not do what they are doing. What I have missed, I enforce on them and they can do it and that makes me happy”. For Photidokmai, she hopes to see more Thai artists come to Las Vegas in the future. She and her family currently own and operate 3 Weera Thai restaurant locations: Rainbow, Spring Mountain and Sahara. At the latter location, Weera Thai Marketplace has recently opened next door offering snacks, gifts, books and souvenirs. The fourth location of the restaurant, which will be called Were Thai Seafood and Bar, is set to open later this year at Town Square.

by HannaH Mallorca Inquirer.net

RITA Daniela confirmed that she and her non-showbiz partner have called it quits after four years of being together.

Rita made the confirmation during an interview with Boy Abunda on the June 15 episode of the show “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,” after she was asked about the status of her relationship with her exboyfriend, who is also the father of her six-month-old baby

“Yes, naghiwalay po kami ng tatay ni Uno,” she told Abunda.

“We really tried our best just like everybody else but it didn’t work out. Pero ang maganda diyan, we’re very good friends. We’re doing our best to coparent Uno,” she continued.

(Yes, baby Uno’s father and I broke up. We really tried our best just like everybody else but it didn’t work out. But the good thing is, we’re very good friends. We’re doing our best to co-parent Uno.)

Despite their breakup, the actress-singer said she is “proud” of herself and her exboyfriend because they made sure to end their relationship on good terms.

“I am actually proud of ourselves — kaming dalawa. Hangga’t maaga pa, inayos na namin [ang relationship namin] para kapag lumaki na si Uno, peaceful kami and we can still be a family na walang issues on both sides,” she added.

(I am actually proud of ourselves — the both of us. While it’s still

early, we made sure to repair our relationship so when Uno grows up, we’re peaceful and we can still be a family without any issues on both sides.)

When asked by Abunda if she’s ready to fall in love again, Rita pointed out that while it’s “one of her dreams” to find someone to marry, opening her heart to someone new will take time.

“Definitely, of course. It’s one of my dreams na maglakad ng may wedding gown (It’s one of my dreams to walk down the aisle in a wedding gown). But now, not yet,” she said. “Because right now, my focus is to be a

better person and to be the best mom to Uno.”

Reports of Rita Daniela and her ex-boyfriend’s split emerged as early as September 2022, although the former denied the speculations.

Prior to their split, the singer spoke about keeping the identity of her former partner private in a 24 Oras interview in June of last year, saying she wants to keep some parts of her personal life to herself.

The singer welcomed her first child in December 2022, which happened to be a few days before Christmas.

The Moradokmai Theater Company in front of Weera Thai Restaurant on Rainbow

The Moradokmai Theater Company performing at Weera Thai Restaurant on Rainbow

Rita Daniela Photo from Instagram/@missritadaniela